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Steel drum musician TRACY THORNTON has been invited to open the 2006 JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH in New York City on Friday, May 19. The coveted spot on the star-studded line-up will have the drummer regaling the audience with songs from his latest CD, “Pan For Punks: A Steelpan Tribute to The Ramones.” A fan of that band, THORNTON decided to show his admiration for as only a true devotee can – by recording an album of Ramones tunes as never heard before, played on the steel drum.

“This is such an honor for me,” enthused the North Carolina resident. “To share the stage with all these amazing rockers and play the music I love for other Ramones fans is a dream come true. And, in the process, we’ll be raising money for Lymphoma research so that in the future, maybe we’ll find a cure and no one else will have to suffer from the disease that took Joey Ramone from us.” A self-taught musician, Thornton has taught drumming extensively, employing what he calls his "drill and kill to skill" method.

“Pan For Punks” has been getting great reviews in all corners of the media. AllAgesZine.com’s reviewer called it: “…one of the most genius things I have heard,” while the Biloxi Sun Herald raved “The musicianship on this disc is remarkable...” CelebrityCafe.com called the CD “…a Caribbean punk dream for Ramones fans to dive into,” and Entertainment World felt “This is a perfect album for anyone who likes steel drums, an island feel or the Ramones.” Global Rhythm Magazine reported “The surviving Ramones and others close to the band have given Thornton their thumbs up, and critics have, not surprisingly, taken to it in droves.” And THORNTON was spotlighted in Spin Magazine.

Steel drum musician TRACY THORNTON has been invited to open the 2006 JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH in New York City on Friday, May 19. The coveted spot on the star-studded line-up will have the drummer regaling the audience with songs from his latest CD, “Pan For Punks: A Steelpan Tribute to The Ramones.” A fan of that band, THORNTON decided to show his admiration for as only a true devotee can – by recording an album of Ramones tunes as never heard before, played on the steel drum.

“This is such an honor for me,” enthused the North Carolina resident. “To share the stage with all these amazing rockers and play the music I love for other Ramones fans is a dream come true. And, in the process, we’ll be raising money for Lymphoma research so that in the future, maybe we’ll find a cure and no one else will have to suffer from the disease that took Joey Ramone from us.” A self-taught musician, Thornton has taught drumming extensively, employing what he calls his "drill and kill to skill" method.

“Pan For Punks” has been getting great reviews in all corners of the media. AllAgesZine.com’s reviewer called it: “…one of the most genius things I have heard,” while the Biloxi Sun Herald raved “The musicianship on this disc is remarkable...” CelebrityCafe.com called the CD “…a Caribbean punk dream for Ramones fans to dive into,” and Entertainment World felt “This is a perfect album for anyone who likes steel drums, an island feel or the Ramones.” Global Rhythm Magazine reported “The surviving Ramones and others close to the band have given Thornton their thumbs up, and critics have, not surprisingly, taken to it in droves.” And THORNTON was spotlighted in Spin Magazine.

The annual concert, this year marking the sixth event, donates all net proceeds to Lymphoma research. Ramone died of the disease in 2001 and every May since then his mother Charlotte Lesher and brother Mickey Leigh has honored their pledge to celebrate the punk rock idol’s birthday with an all-star party. This yea